Originally Posted By WorldDisney Yeah I hear you about WDW! The thing is I REALLY want to take my mother because she's only been to Anaheim (seeing it's only about 30 minutes away from Compton) and she use to always talk to me and my brother when we were little about going to WDW!! I mean, that was our dream lol. Now I would like to take her and tried twice, but everytime I try and suggest we do it, she wants to just stay at DL lol. That what happened last year. My wallet is a little thankful, but I figure it would just be a great excuse for me to get back there lol, while showing her something she's always wanted to see herself, but I guess she's just happy spending a few days a year at DL (and in all honesty, I think I would jump off one of those pretty Disney hotel balconies by the 5th day just being stuck with her anyway, so maybe someone is telling me something lol). But listening to you and *ahem*, others talk about how far down the quality has gone, not sure that's a great idea anymore. I think though as a first timer and honestly about 80% less insightful then I really should be on this lol, she would probably love it regardless. I think everytime I see people complainging about how Disney has gone all toon crazy and losing it's base, I think of my mother how she just eats that stuff up lol. She's 60 years old now, has been to the original park since litterally the first year it opened and if there is rides with Mickey or Stitch, she's there! The woman can't get enough of it. Of course, she's the ONLY one in my family who likes DCA lol, so you have to take it for what it's worth I guess. So who knows lol. As for me, I would LOVE to do the kind of experience you and your family do when you go to the parks and truly SOAK in the magic---but I can't afford it . I would love to stay at the Grand, eat at the nice restaurants everynight, do the Disney package, the whole nine yards it would be great. I KNOW it would be great at DLR, the problem is when you live 30 minutes away from it and spent a lifetime there of already going, its hard to justify spending that kind of money for something you can see and do nearly everytime (when I lived there), at least for me. Even when we use to stay at the DLH when I was still in school, it was GREAT, but it still felt odd we were so close, but at least we were kids. That was honestly the only time we had a vacation or went anywhere. So, maybe with kids, its easier to justify it. As for WDW, it just cost sooo much more and unless it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, then maybe I can, but with all the problems, it doesn't sound worth the money. That dining plan sounds great for example, but the second you're too full from eating a nice big dinner because you already had a nice big lunch, there goes more money since cancelling isn't an option. And yeah, the weather doesn't make it easy, does it? HKDL is basically like Florida, just all year long, but you don't spend a week at that park obviously and there is waaay less walking naturally. Another thing, my mother is in great shape for her age, but she DOES get tired pretty quickly, usually around 8 pm and ready to go as I think you alluded with your MIL. This would drive me NUTS!!!! Now when we stay together and she is ready to go back to the hotel and expects me to call it a night with her, I remind I am now 30 years old and I would like to stay out past sun set. So, now I walk her or drive her to the room, come back and just ride all the things I couldn't because she can't do it. Works out nicely now . I imagine at WDW though, its not so simple (and very respectful of me) to throw my mother basically at a bus stop and expect her to make the entire journey home as a newbie at WDW since everything is so far. I imagine with your mother-in-law and really since it litterally is a family experience you're doing, you couldn't or shouldn't do that either....but we all know you WANT to . In other words, it looks like it will just be a visit to see TSM in DCA and not MGM with my mother and call it a vacation .
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Well I am still morbidly obese. Sadly, so are many other people. But yep, Sarah and I have both lost weight in the last 18 months. I've lost 5 inches off my waistline. Just 12 more to go! Lol. That will take time.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney <<I was under the impression that Disneyland was Mikey's favorite after his reaction to having to leave and having your *friends* leave. I still loved that little episode.>> LOL, did little Mikey go into major meltdown crisis mode when it was time to say goodbye?? I would've paid full price admission just to see that (sorry Dave...I'm evil ;D).
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I see where you are coming from WD. A lot of Lpers (and other sites) tell me I am out of line and way off base. But I call them as I see them. Mr x had a very different experience than ours, so it may be improving, or maybe we had bad luck, or perhaps staying off site is a better experience these days. I'm not sure. I think your Mom would probably be blown away at WDW though. My MIL was, and she had been to DLP 5 times before going to WDW. As for staying in Compton, I understand. We tend not to stay on site even in Paris much anymore (though that's cause we bought into the better MVCI). And when I was a kid, even living in the central valley, we would opt for the Candy Cane Inn most of the time so we could return regularly.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo And yes, we were all emotional when the time came to say goodbye to LP friends. Mikey and Jess are both very sad when the time comes to leave any park. But especially DL, Legoland and Sea World!
Originally Posted By ImaDLFan Wow Dave congrats on the weight loss. I know it freaks people out when you say morbidly obese but its amazing how many people are just that and dont even realize it. I'm speaking of myself of course! I'm down 18 but have a long, long way to go. Whatever your doing it must be working, again, congrats!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Yep, when I started out I was 380lbs! Basically I paid attention to eating well (breakfast, not eating after 7pm) smaller portions. Cut out diet drinks (they are dynamite for fluid retention). Tried to walk more (parked the furthest space from the super market etc.). So it is working. And the fact I gained relatively little by eating junk, lots of it, drinking soda etc. over 3 weeks in California, looks like it may work this time.
Originally Posted By friendofdd Great to see you posting, WorldDisney. I've met your Mama, and you should just do as she wants. She loves you.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney Hi Friendofdd, that's right, you did meet my mother . She asked about you that day when I came from the park too (since she went back to the room sooner). She litterally said, 'did you meet your little friend?' LOL, sometimes my mother is sooo cute, she still talks to me as if me and all my friends are 12 years old, even if we are a tad older now . She was also convinced my 'internet friends' weren't all these weird Disney nerds who have joined a cult, but actually have lives beyound theme parks and just enjoys being at the there like her .
Originally Posted By u k fan The first time I met Dave, my Dad was on red alert. He's always been very intuitive!!!
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 >>>and my MIL driving me crazy that really put a dampener on it.<<< LOL! moment for me
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Indeed. We have spent time together at DLP and it has been tolerable. So I thought I would be a good husband and father and hae my MIL come with us to WDW. Oh my, all I can say is never again. It could have been worse, but OMG, it could have been far, far better. Thankfully Sarah feels the same way. So a quick jaunt to DLP, fine. Long distance, long duration trips, no thank you. So yes, she may have had a little impact on our enjoyment of WDW last time. But I still stand by my assessment that I like lot's of entertainment in a walkable, dry environment, compared to expanse in the swamplands.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo But the magic is back. We are now looking at the prospect for DLP in the summer to enjoy Fantillusion and Wishes. It is snowing today, so I am really missing it.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo To the Clones, thank you, thank you thank you!!!! I went through the Morgan's photos and videos and relived our moments together (I hope to see Shiva's no later than next weekend). They were wonderful memories, and seeing the pics, and video made me long to come back as quickly as we can. Thank you so much for capturing these wonderful moments. And I loved seeing the pics of iamsally's extended family. Pure magic and love!!! Now, one last wish. If we could just get Rod posting more!!!
Originally Posted By SoThisIsLove The pictures and commentary were just sensational. For every person like me, whom you have no clue about, there must be 20 who don't post their thanks. Well, thanks. Your touching comments are universal. We all feel the same emotions, in varying degrees and at different attractions around DL. (See post 154, for example) Above all, the love you express for your sweetheart and children is the most precious thing to me. You are a rare man, indeed. I, too, loved the Mickey ear silhouette shot (good shootin' Sarah) and the "Princess Time" one with Mikey and the "Getting Ready for the Day at the Grand" where the kids are looking out the window. I appreciate you labeling the pictures when other LP'ers were in the shots. So cool! Hope to meet you all in Nov/Dec 2009!
Originally Posted By ShivaThDestroyer >>Now, one last wish. If we could just get Rod posting more!!!<< Dave, you're not the only one who has echoed that particular thought. The good news is that meeting you and the rest of our axe murdering family has finally brought -PegLegPete- out of lurkdom (is that a real word?) and he was posting for a while. We've spoken a couple of times since then and I believe he, like the rest of us, has grown quite fond of the Baloo family. No matter how quickly you are able to return it will seem far too long for many of us. I'm going to apologize in advance for my pics and video clips. I'm lazy and didn't bother sorting anything...but I did manage to make copies of mine and the iamsalliy's and a few from piratebrittany and even made it to the Post Office. For me, that's a huge accomplishment and has to show how much you're loved. The iamsallies, 999HAUNTS, xPPx, and poohbear14 all wanted copies so I guess they love you too. ;P"
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Ugh! I so wish I could have met up with you in San Juan Bautista and Monterey to give you a different perspective of the history. ;< Sounds like you had a wonderful time!!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Thank you for your very kind comments SoThisIsLove. Putting a trip report like this together is a lot of fun and time consuming. A lot of thoughts go through your head like - how long/brief should it be? Will anyone read it? All those sorts of things. I am glad people have enjoyed it. It has been great sharing, and it has allowed us to hng on to our precious memories just that little bit longer. My family is indeed my world. I spend a lot of time away from them due to career commitments, but I try to make that up to them at every possible opportunity!
